Where to install Cams? - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

RabiDIntegrA · 04-18-2003, 10:31 PM

When I get my Crower 603's and Skunk2 cam gears. Where should I take them to get them installed? Should I take it to a race shop? Acura/Honda dealer? How much would it cost to put them in (average cost).

Do you guys think I should wait and get my springs, valves and retainers put in the same time with the cams and cam gears?

Also, Is there a break in period when I put any of these parts in?

I would put them in myself but I think I will f**k up my engine if I did. (not really car mechanically inclined took 8hrs to put in CAI!!!)

FastNSX · 04-18-2003, 11:19 PM

Anyone who is reasonably familiar with Honda motors will have no trouble installing the cams and valve train. And, yes, if you got springs, retainers and gears, you want to install them at the same time. Find a reliable import shop and let them do it. Just make sure they have any specs (lash, etc.) that deviate from stock with those components.

Good luck with your project.

White98LS · 04-19-2003, 12:10 AM

Yeah I wouldn't bother even asking the Acura dealer.... they wanted $400 to put in a CLUTCH (which cost me $250 shipped, right....). And Honda said they couldn't do a valve adjustment on my LS because it's an Acura.... fucking idiots. It's basically the same head that's on the CR-V I told them, they didn't believe me. But anyway, yeah just the most reliable import race shop you can find, you should be able to get it done for $100-175. I'd say don't do it yourself cuz you might mess up the timing, I had a private guy do mine and he put both cams off one tooth, but you couldn't tell after he was done because the cam gears were lined up with each other at TDC, it took hours on the DYNO to figure out that, wow, that guy fucked me big time. At least there was no engine damage, the car ran surprisingly well! Pulled a 15.68 @ 88.6mph with the cams off a tooth in fact, hahaha.

4DoorGs-R2001 · 04-19-2003, 02:38 AM

15.68 is well buahaha j/p for your timing to be off that much its pretty good. i too had a EX honda employee install mine i didnt get any "its not a honda" even though the motor says honda right on it?

:

White98LS · 04-19-2003, 02:44 AM

Yeah did I mention that the 15.68 with the cams off a tooth (10 degrees!) was with only the stock intake with no resonators and a K&N filter, cams, FPR, and exhaust? Those were my only mods, I had 80lbs stripped out though and lighter, smaller wheels/tires.

Did I also mention that Acura thought I had a bent valve because of my idle? Even after I told him I had cams, he was like "well, the exhaust sounds irregular, like a buh-buh-buh-boooom-buh-boooom-buh-buh sound, which could only be caused by the intake and exhaust valves being open at the same time, they'd have to be some pretty bad-boy cams...." I'm like "yeah, you mean overlap? Tell me, why do you think part of my valve cover is sawed off, exposing adjustable gears on the end of each cam?"

Honda/Acura dealerships do very good work usually, but RabidIntegra, I don't think I'd ever go there for any type of performance installation, they'd probably run and hide. They charge too much anyway, I think they wanted $340 to install springs and shocks. Morons. Honda charges less than Acura by the way, if you can get them to do anything to an "Acura".

4DoorGs-R2001 · 04-19-2003, 02:49 AM

it was a joke what do you run now?

White98LS · 04-19-2003, 02:54 AM

Honestly I dunno. I went again a couple weeks ago but it was a little wet and I had no traction, plus I later found out that I had a nail in a rear tire and it had 9psi. 9!!! At 90mph!!! So it's hard to judge. The 45-series tires suck for drag too, and my clutch was not exactly grabbing with authority. But I got shitty times, 15.9's (only got two runs, second time at the track) with 2.5xx 60', terrible I know. I hit 89mph though, which shows that I can run much quicker times with better launch/traction. With the back stripped out, the new flywheel/clutch and running 14"s, I guarantee 14's this summer.

Paying $25 on a day of autocross is a lot more appealing to me than spending $40 on a day of going in a straight line anyway.

4DoorGs-R2001 · 04-19-2003, 03:48 AM

i know. i think im going to end up doing mild work on my GSR i still have my 93 EG coupe im going wild with that i think

IntegraXTR · 04-19-2003, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RabiDIntegrA
When I get my Crower 603's and Skunk2 cam gears. Where should I take them to get them installed? Should I take it to a race shop? Acura/Honda dealer? How much would it cost to put them in (average cost).

Do you guys think I should wait and get my springs, valves and retainers put in the same time with the cams and cam gears?

Also, Is there a break in period when I put any of these parts in?

I would put them in myself but I think I will f**k up my engine if I did. (not really car mechanically inclined took 8hrs to put in CAI!!!)

call in and ask for an approx. amount...

also what you want to do is price around in the yellow pages for mech. or import tuning shops...

wait till you get the rest of your stuff and have them do it all at once..

as for break in period i wouldn't say redline every gear when u get it, but it doesn't involve a lengthy period of time. it's kinda like breaking in your car...

taking 8 hours to put in a CAI doesn't mean yer mech. inclined lol...just not used to it. in due time

:

but yeah, call around and make sure you check if the shop has a good rep or not..

:

RabiDIntegrA · 04-19-2003, 04:29 AM

thanks you guys for the info!!